Canterbury holidays 2026
Canterbury has 12 public holidays in 2026: 11 public holidays and 1 Canterbury-specific holiday. Dates below show the actual date and, where a holiday falls on a weekend, the day it is observed.
Public holidays observed in Canterbury
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thu | New Year's Day Public holiday | — | |
| Jan 2 | Fri | Day after New Year's Day Public holiday | — | |
| Feb 6 | Fri | Waitangi Day Public holiday | — | |
| Apr 3 | Fri | Good Friday Public holiday | — | |
| Apr 6 | Mon | Easter Monday Public holiday | — | |
| Apr 25 | Sat | Anzac Day Public holiday | Mon, Apr 27 | |
| Jun 1 | Mon | King's Birthday Public holiday | — | |
| Jul 10 | Fri | Matariki Public holiday | — | |
| Oct 26 | Mon | Labour Day Public holiday | — | |
| Dec 25 | Fri | Christmas Day Public holiday | — | |
| Dec 26 | Sat | Boxing Day Public holiday | Mon, Dec 28 |
Dates computed from the governing statutes and last verified October 3, 2026. Years beyond officially published schedules are projected from the rule that sets the date.
Holidays only in Canterbury
Public holidays in Canterbury that the rest of New Zealand does not share.
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 13 | Fri | Canterbury Anniversary Day Provincial anniversary day | — | Canterbury region (Christchurch and north/mid Canterbury). |
Observances (not days off)
| Date | Day | Holiday | Observed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 14 | Sat | Valentine's Day Observance | — | |
| Apr 5 | Sun | Easter Sunday Observance | — | |
| May 10 | Sun | Mother's Day Observance | — | |
| Sep 6 | Sun | Father's Day Observance | — | |
| Oct 31 | Sat | Halloween Observance | — |
Long weekends in Canterbury, 2026
What closes
Government offices, courts and most schools close on the public holidays above. Shops usually open with reduced hours, subject to local trading rules.
Frequently asked questions
How many public holidays does Canterbury have in 2026?
Canterbury has 12 public holidays in 2026: 11 public holidays plus 1 Canterbury-specific holiday (Canterbury Anniversary Day).
What is the next holiday in Canterbury?
The next holiday in Canterbury is Canterbury Anniversary Day on Friday, November 13, 2026 (11 days away).
Are Canterbury holidays the same as the rest of New Zealand?
Mostly. Canterbury observes the public holidays shared across New Zealand, plus its own: Canterbury Anniversary Day. Other regions have different regional days, so check the page for the region you need.